[John Gregory]

Bought one of these "balance/counter-balance" type lamps with a 50W HI bulb
inside. Although I got it at a house auction, it looks brand new. Plugged it
in. Didn't work. Took the bulb out, then the shield, and found a wire
burned. Repaired it. Light worked great... for about 3 hours on and off over
the course of a few days. Yesterday when I returned to my chair where the
light had been on for half an hour I found the area dark. This time it
wasn't the light nor the wires in under the shield. The round metal stand -
which contains some power transformer or some other mechanism I suppose -
was hot. I turn the switch off and it cooled down... but the light remained
dead (as I expected it to). Can someone please tell me what mechanism is
likely to be in that stand and whether or not it's a common part generally
available at an electric component store or do I have to find the
manufacturer and order form them... if the price is reasonable. Sometimes
these parts are more costly than the end piece.

 

[Zathera]

Bought one of these "balance/counter-balance" type lamps with a 50W HI bulb
inside. Although I got it at a house auction, it looks brand new. Plugged it
in. Didn't work. Took the bulb out, then the shield, and found a wire
burned. Repaired it. Light worked great... for about 3 hours on and off over
the course of a few days. Yesterday when I returned to my chair where the
light had been on for half an hour I found the area dark. This time it
wasn't the light nor the wires in under the shield. The round metal stand -
which contains some power transformer or some other mechanism I suppose -
was hot. I turn the switch off and it cooled down... but the light remained
dead (as I expected it to). Can someone please tell me what mechanism is
likely to be in that stand and whether or not it's a common part generally
available at an electric component store or do I have to find the
manufacturer and order form them... if the price is reasonable. Sometimes
these parts are more costly than the end piece.

HID lamps run very hot. NEVER touch the lamp wear gloves, as the oils in
your fingers will shorten the life of the bulb dramatically. Down to
minutes. The transformer in the base should be warm after a time running the
lamp. Check the now burned lamp with a ohm meter, I will bet that is shot.
Replace the lamp, with out touching it, use the foam in the package or
gloves. See if this helps.

 

[A+]

Have the same type of desk lamp for three years now and still working fine.
The base contains an AC / AC step down transformer and nothing else as far
as I know.

If the base was that hot I guess the trans is cooked. Before changing any
lamps have the trans checked first.

You might be surprised the price of replacement trans may be more expensive
than buying new desktop lamp of the same.

A+

 

[John Gregory]

I get a reading of the bulb with an OHM meter. Looks like the transformer is
toasted. Rats! There ain't no free lunch. Thought I had a bargain at
nine bucks. Now I'm nine in the hole. Oh well. Some days ya' eat the
bear.... an' some days the bear eats you!